The National IQ Test- I can officially call myself a "genius"

Hey guys,

It's been a busy week...

I was lucky enough to be on the "National IQ Test" this week, which was a nationally televised event all around Australia for Channel Nine.

It had been broadcast in the past here in Australia, in 2002 and 2003, and both of these times it was the most watched Television program in the country. ( Only a lazy 2 or 3 Million...)

 I was asked to participate in the program by Channel Nine, and to become part of the "Sports Fanatics" team, which would compete against several other teams such as WAGS ( Wives and Girlfriends of Sportstars), Entrepreneurs, Impersonators, Generation Y and Tradies.

I wasn't the only person invited down to take part, also involved for the "Tradies" was "Australia's Hottest Tradie" Matt Wilson. I caught up with Matt on the way down from Sydney and he is a great bloke. I'm sure we will be catching up for a beer soon, to go with the cheeky one we snuck in earlier in the day, whilst filling the few hours before the taping.

He might be a great bloke but I will certainly not be taking my shirt off around him anytime soon...

"Australia's Hottest Tradie" Matt Wilson

Sadly for Matt the "Tradies" didn't do so well on the night. But their team captain, Scott Cam, did make a fair point in saying " we may not have a good IQ but how many of you guys can build a staircase?"

I was also able to meet Miss Universe Australia ( & 3rd Overall, Miss Universe 2010) , Jescinta Campbell. Very nice girl, Very easy on the eye. But she is just a little bit tall for me..so sadly I had to break the news to her that it wouldnt work out....yeh right!

Miss Universe Australia, Jescinta Campbell and Myself

A very interesting part of the night was the appearance of Felix Zemdegs, who is at 14 ,is the World Champion of Rubix Cube. He astonishingly, proved that he can complete the Rubix Cube in 8.69 seconds...freak!!

Even more freakish, and something that I'm told wasn't shown in the broadcast was when Felix completed the Rubix Cube again, only this time with the Rubix Cube above his head and without looking.

He told us all that he learnt simply by watching a You Tube video...I've learnt a few things off the internet...but probably nothing I can show you on TV.

If you want to check out Felix's freakish talents here is the link- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAxvSquazVU

My team the "Sports Fanatics" got off to a very slow start, but we all gave "110%" , "made every post a winner" and "did the little things right"...to time our run to perfection.

We were led superbly by Channel Nine/Today Show personality, Cam Williams...who was also crowned the "Smartest Team Captain"...he must have been looking at my answers!

Socceroo Fanatic, Ray Fuggle and "Smartest Team Captain" Cam Williams

               

The "Sports Fanatics" were a very rowdy bunch. We had Socceroo Fanatics, Sydney Swans, Cricket, Melbourne Storm, Cat-Man, Dog-Man, Joffa, Freakish Tats, Titans Smurfs...I'll touch on a few of the team members..I dont have enough time to explain all of them...just google the names and prepare to be astonished.

Titan's Smurfs and the Rest of the Team

The picture, above shows the "Titans Smurfs". Mad Gold Coast Titans fans, they crack out the body paint and go nuts in support of their side. Apparently it takes 2 days for the paint to completley come off...and a hell of a lot of Blue Paint everywhere.

"Catman"- Geelong Cats Fanatic

"Catman" has apparently been collecting badges for his costume for the last 3000 years...

"Joffa" and his Gold Jacket

"Joffa"- For those that dont know, Joffa is a mad Collingwood Magpies supporter and dons the gold jacket once his side has secured victory. It is the Australian equivalent of the "Fat Lady Singing". There is a bit of a stigma around Australia that Collingwood fans are "stupid"and "uneducated"..but Joffa was a standout on our team and certainly dispelled those theories.

Joffa wore his jacket for the entire IQ Test , such was his confidence that our victory was never in doubt!

I need to make mention of my fellow Socceroo Fanatics. 

Ray Fuggle went all but one of Australia's World Cup Qualifiers in the recent campaign for the 2010 World Cup, travelling to Japan, Dubai, Qatar, Uzbekistan , Bahrain,China and of course all around Australia. Ray has put together a DVD of his travels, which he gave me to watch, and I must say it is some very entertaining viewing.

Heather Kayatz, is another Socceroo Fanatic, who has been travelling the globe supporting the team,only she has been doing it since 1974.

Tough to be called a fellow Socceroo Fanatic when in their company. All I have done is live in a lifesize Adidas Jabulani for 31 days of the World Cup for all the world to see. Again...not enough time to explain..just google "Adidas Man in the Ball".

In the end, against all odds, even after the bookmakers gave us no chance, my side the "Sports Fanatics" took out the title.

So officially...I can call myself a "genius" and officially say that I am 1 of the 25 most intelligent people in Australia.

Other results coming out of the test was,Woman being smarter than Men, Victoria being the "Smartest State" with South Australia last, and left handers ( myself included) being smarter than right handers.

 I had such a blast doing the IQ Test and hope I'm asked back next year with my fellow sports fanatics to defend our crown.

If you would like to complete the IQ Test and see how you yourself do, you can do so at this link- http://www.holdeniq.com.au/

Also if you missed any of the action, you can review some brief highlights, such as "Sports Fanatics" going wild after their victory , do so at this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTpWRBUUT-4

Thanks to everyone involved in the production, we all had a blast and thanks for my side the "Sports Fanatics" for being an awesome bunch of people.

Especially need to thank, the lovely Lesley Weston, my fellow Fanatic and Melbourne Storm Fan for letting me steal some ( almost all) , of her photos for this blog. I will give you your free boat and secret payment later!!

Lesley Weston, Melbourne Storm Fan and member of team "Sports Fanatic"

Some were suprised at the "Sports Fanatics" success but our teams win was never in doubt. To be a Sports Fan , you need great Maths skills, as you recquire the ability to count upwards by sometimes 1, 4 or 6. You need great memory skills to remember key statistics such as "Last Athlete to break leg in Olympic Final" and also where in the hell the hotel is, after a few too many post game schooners to drown out your sides defeat. You also recquire the ability to solve and unlock complex interelated webs and puzzles like the FIFA Football Rulebook...for example.

Hope you enjoyed a bit of an insight into the 2010 National IQ Test, I have to go now as I have to go perform some brain surgey and find a cure for cancer....

Until next time,

Much Love!

Adam Santarossa-Genius

The 25 Smartest People in Australia- "Team Sports Fanatics", Winners 2010 National IQ Test 

Why Australia will not host the 2022 World Cup

As a "true-blue" Aussie and Lover of Football, there is nothing more I would love to see than Australia winning the right to host a World Cup.


If I was a betting man, I'd definitely splash some cash on Australia hosting the World Cup...one day.


Just not in 2022.


Whilst Frank Lowy and many football followers here in Australia remain optimistic, I have to say I am not.


I feel the 2022 World Cup will go to the USA....for many valid reasons.


First of all, everyone talks of the wonderful event that was the Sydney 2000 Olympics and the incredible job we did at hosting those games.


I can remember vividly the buzz that existed around the city for those few weeks back in 2000, and I have no doubt that a World Cup would be even better.


Problem is, what no one is willing to talk about is what a failure the Sydney Olympics was in terms of TV ratings.


The 2000 Games were the lowest ratings games in North America, with a significant drop also in Europe from previous Olympics.


I know, the time difference is something we can do nothing about and is simply a result of our geography, but even so TV Ratings and advertising exposure are a significant part in the decision making. FIFA charge ridiculous sums for advertisers to align themselves with the World Cup and in exchange advertisers get "exclusive" rights as well as access to Billions of viewers.


US Television Station NBC lost Millions after securing the rights to Sydney 2000, with viewers failing to rise for the 2am, 3am and 5am start times. Not to mention the costs at sending and accommodating hundreds of staff to cover the games for the duration in Australia.


The 2011 Rugby World Cup is being held in this part of the world in New Zealand, were games are scheduled to kick off at 9pm local time to cater for the northern hemisphere audience, given the failings of previous sports sojourns, such as 2003 Rugby World Cup and Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.


Another reason why the 2022 World Cup will go to the USA is the sheer economic power it pocesses over Australia.


Global powerhouses like Coca Cola, MasterCard and McDonalds are housed in the United States and are all official FIFA sponsors.


The United States provides a bigger economy, broader market and vast population well in excess of Australia's. For Commercial partners, the USA makes a hell of a lot more sense.


In Football terms the USA is a developing market and a market that FIFA are determined to win. Such was the reasons given as to why the USA was handed the rights to the 1994 World Cup, and the battle is still won.


Football/Soccer in America has seen significant growth in recent years and MLS crowds and viewers are on the rise.


Soccer has been given more media coverage and mainstream attention following the arrivals of David Beckham, Thierry Henry , Freddy Ljundberg, Juan Pablo Angel and Rafael Marquez.


The 2010 World Cup was the highest rating World Cup of all-time in North America, with ESPN shelling big bucks to secure the rights.


Team USA have shown great promise in recent years and their current crop of talent is hailed as their "golden generation", following strong results in the last two World Cups.


In Australia, the A-League has seen a significant drop in crowds, as well as several clubs on the verge of folding. The Socceroos most recent home international against Paraguay, only managed to attract a crowd of 26,000, even with a full strength line-up against World Cup quarter finalists.


It was only a few years ago that the NSL and Soccer Australia both folded, amid vast amounts of debt, and whilst tremendous progress has been made since this time, it does not exactly fill FIFA powerbrokers with confidence when deciding to give Australia the World Cup.


The Australian bid has not gone without its negative publicity, largely generated due to the conflict with the AFL regarding access to stadiums.


Australia will have to commit millions of dollars in building new stadiums and developing existing stadiums simply to get to the minimum criteria that FIFA sets in a World Cup. (Minimum 8- 40,000 seat capacity)


The United States will not have to lift a finger in this regard. The USA is awash with countless World Class stadiums, purpose built for Football, with several NFL stadiums averaging over 70,000 capacity as well as smaller boutique MLS stadiums.


The USA has done it all before, hosting a well received tournament in 1994. The USA has already got the infrastructure in place, they have the stadiums, and they have the economic capacity and the biggest marketplace in the world.


With the USA economy currently struggling for confidence, FIFA can expect President Obama to provide larger economic commitments than other countries are capable , given his desperation to secure the tournament to boost confidence in the economy and his political campaign.


Other countries up for the tournament include Japan and South Korea, who both previously co hosted in 2002. Both loom as dark horses and each have significant economic capabilities, however I feel as though FIFA feels more water should go under the bridge before it is the Asian powers turn again.


The Other bidder is that of Qatar.


There is no secret to the billions and billions of dollars that Qatar pocess. However there are a number of negatives that I feel blight the Qatar bids hopes.


The Climate is a major issue with temperatures soaring in the June/July period, and whilst the Qatari's are promising underground and air conditioned stadiums, you still have to factor in the comfort of spectators.


Furthermore, Qatar is a Muslim-state where the consumption of Alcohol banned in public. This ensures that any Qatar World Cup, would not come along with the party atmosphere that accompanied that of 2006 in Germany and 2010 in South Africa, and seemingly every World Cup before them.


This will also mean FIFA will do without lucrative Alcohol sponsorship that tips millions into the coffers every four years through the likes of Heineken and Budweiser.


The ability for Woman to attend games in Qatar is also a question that requires answering, given it is currently not possible for them to do so. Another question is also the attire expected of Woman during the event. Any Qatar World Cup shouldn’t expect to see supporters like the Paraguayan female who caught so much attention earlier this year in South Africa.


The Qatar bid does have one supporter however in Asian Confederation Boss in Mohammad Bin-Hamann. This causes significant concern for Australia, with Asia's bid committed to Qatar through Bin-Hamann being a Qatari, and he has also come out and trumpeted Qatar's bid to high placed FIFA executives.


If Australia cannot even convince their own confederation that they are right for the World Cup, then how are they expected to sway the many other FIFA committee voters.


Australia will one day host a World Cup, and I hope to be around to see it.


However in 2022, all roads lead to the USA!! 

The Fight to Save Boxing!



There has been much made about the rise of UFC and the slow "death" of boxing over the past few years. Whilst UFC Pay Per View figures have been booming, Boxings numbers have gone in the opposite direction.

The reasons...Boxing's distinct lack of big fights.

I have been a fan of boxing all my life, and whilst MMA has been around for the last few years, I never devoted any real energy to it until the last 2/3 years.

I would watch the occasional fight in the years of "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz and "The Iceman" Chuck Liddell feuds, but never in the capacity to which I do today.

These days, I don’t miss any UFC or Strike force PPV's and I make sure I keep an eye on Bellator and the various Australian MMA Promotions going around.

For many years it was the same case with Boxing, as I would hunt, deal and scrap to gain access to all fights, be it UK, US or Australia.

However, I must admit lately my boxing viewing is dwindling.

I am not the only boxing fan switching off.

Some fans have come out hailing the resurgence of boxing given the stack of upcoming "mega fights" for which boxing fans are licking their lips.

Manny Pacquiao v Antonio Margarito, Juan Manuel Marquez v Michael Katsidis, David Haye v Audley Harrison, Danny Green v BJ Flores, Sakio Bika v Andre Ward...etc,etc,etc.

But are these the fights the "fight fans" truly want to see??

Take Pac-Man for example.

His next fight is an intriguing clash, given Pacquiao steps up to Junior-Middleweight in search of his 8th World Title, against his tallest and heaviest opponent EVER, whom is returning from a long suspension for shaming the boxing world.

Sure it’s an intriguing sell....but it’s not the fight Boxing fans want to see.

Magarito got destroyed in his last fight against Shane Mosley. Floyd Mayweather destroyed Shane Mosley. Pacquiao is looking at a rematch with Miguel Cotto, who Margarito destroyed, as did Pacquiao. Make Sense??..Didn’t think so.

Whilst hardcore boxing fans like me may stick around, casual fans with the sport are turning away.

The problem with Boxing is simple. Titles no longer mean anything.

World Titles are only good for marketing purposes as a fight billed as a "World Title", will ensure an increase in pay per view buys and gate receipts. The fact that we can have two boxers ranked outside the top 20 in the world fighting for some alphabet title, proves exactly what is wrong with the sport.

The UFC cuts fighters who don’t perform, and as a result ensures viewers that what they are seeing is "the best v the best". In Boxing, a promoter may cut a fighter given he is no longer in the upper echelon , only for that fighter to be picked up by another promoter looking to capitalise on the boxers "name".

Examples- Roy Jones Jnr & Evander Holyfield.

Both of these two men have been coveted by fighters in recent years, as they are easy victories, marketable and for the uneducated perceived as a "great scalp". Given their name, Jones & Holyfield are thrown into fights hailed as "World Titles" against fighters whom have never come close to winning such a belt.

If Boxing promoters steered clear, fans would realise their irrelevance and pay no notice.
If both of these men where in the UFC , they would have been cut 5 years ago.

Money is the only source of prestige in the sport these days. Such is the plethora of titles littering the landscape, a "World Title" no longer means much at all, whilst the prestige that is gained is as a result of purse and pay per view buys.

Floyd Mayweather Jnr said it himself when he stated "Titles just collect dust at the end of the day"

The Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao fight should have happened two years ago. The fact that it hasn’t is a result of greed. Both Mayweather & Pacquiao don’t have any desire to put it all on the line and "be the best". Both now seem to only fight for money, with each protecting their reputations with each fight. As each wins, the money keeps rolling in. But if they put it on the line against each other, the loser is going to be seen as less marketable and that is a risk both "Money" Mayweather and Pac-Man are not willing to take.

Instead, Boxing fans have to put up with the Bob Arum-Team Pacquiao partnership, with each of Manny's opponents seemingly from the stable that Bob Arum promotes. That way, Arum collects his 25% from both fighters.

Pacquaio's last fights have been against fighters all from the Top Rank/Bob Arum stable. Joshua Clottey,Miguel Cotto & Antonio Margarito, plus he was also linked with a fight with Yuri Foreman, another promoted by Arum.

On the other hand, Floyd Mayweather retires for the 26th time, returning sporadically, when his bank balance is in need of a quick rejuvenation.

When Floyd does fight, it is against "Name" fighters, such as most recently with Juan Manuel Marquez, although at a low risk option, with the fight being campaigned at Welterweight, a weight that Marquez is not comfortable at, given he is naturally a lightweight. ( Marquez fights Katsidis at Lightweight on Nov.26).

The Reasons fans are falling in love with the UFC is that the mega fights happen. All fighters are centrally contracted and Dana White makes fights as he sees them. If you don’t want the fight, well find somewhere else to ply your trade.

Sure other promotions such as Strikeforce & Bellator have their own versions of "World Titles", but none come with the prestige and lineage of the UFC. Everyone in the sport covets it, and only the man who holds it can legitimately call himself the best in the given weight class.

Boxing on the other hand can have as many as 8 different World Champions at anytime, this is even without throwing in the stupidity of "interim" or "super" champions.

If the MMA World can prevent a similar situation occurring in their sport, which ultimately came about in boxing through greed, then they will have tremendous success. Strikeforce & Bellator may rise in prestige but then we will still only have 3 recognised World Titles, and still a chance of co-promotion and unification.

MMA must not allow their sport to become like Boxing where the fighters are bigger than the promotions. The Promotions should dictate the terms and not the fighter.

Boxing has come too far, and it will never return to the glory days of one or even three world champions.
The amount of money it would take for someone to replicate a UFC model, where fighters are contracting to the promotion is ridiculous.

The Shambolic Super Six Boxing Series is proof enough that such a concept is a waste of time.

Fans are voting with their remotes by turning of the sport of Boxing, as fighters no longer look to knock of the top dog.

These days it is more about protecting their record, hand picking opponents and capturing world titles to boost their marketability and appeal.

If the superfight between Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao never eventuates, Boxing will begin to become even more irrelevant than it is already becoming.

Boxing has the "Silver Bullet" to fire the biggest shot in the fight between them and Mixed Martial Arts, and they may never use it.

Boxing's advantage over MMA, is its hundreds and hundreds of years history....yet we may never see the bout that would truly be perhaps the biggest in that history.

Boxing fans want to see "Mega-Fights" and the only place it seems for that...is the UFC.


By Adam Santarossa